News from Russia

Dr Sarah Smyth, Department of Russian and Slavonic Studies (TCD), was awarded the Pushkin Medal by President Medvedev for her contribution to the promotion of Russian language and culture in the world. This medal is awarded annually by Presidential decree to ten people from the fields of culture or education. The award ceremony was held in the Kremlin palace on 4th November, the Russian national holiday. In her speech , Sarah made reference to encouraging new developments in Irish-Russian relations, and looked forward to both sides building on newly strengthened foundations. In the current year other visitors to Russia from Ireland include Bono, on the occasion of a U2 concert in Moscow, and President McAleese, who accompanied a trade and education mission in September. In addition to Sarah’s work in Trinity and further afield, she has been a member of the management committee of the Post-Primary Languages Initiative since its inception and has made an enormous contribution to the work of introducing Russian in our schools.